Highlights from Essity's Annual General Meeting Held in Stockholm

Essity's Annual General Meeting: Key Decisions and Highlights

On March 26, 2026, Essity, a prominent hygiene and health company, conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Stockholm, Sweden. This crucial event served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the company's financial performance and its future strategies.

Financial Statements Approved

One of the pivotal outcomes of the meeting was the approval of the Parent Company's income statement and balance sheet for the fiscal year 2025, along with the consolidated income statement and balance sheet. This approval marks a significant checkpoint for the company's financial health and accountability. Stakeholders expressed their satisfaction with the transparency and thoroughness of the financial reporting.

Dividend Declaration

Furthermore, the AGM resolved to declare a dividend for the 2025 financial year amounting to SEK 8.75 per share. The record date set for this dividend is March 30, 2026. This decision reflects the company's robust performance and commitment to providing returns to its shareholders.

Directors' Remuneration Fixed

The meeting also addressed the remuneration for the board members. Each director not employed by Essity will receive SEK 1,000,000, while the Chairman of the Board will earn SEK 3,000,000. The Medical Committee and Audit Committee members will receive additional remuneration, with specific amounts allocated for their respective roles, ensuring an incentive structure that acknowledges the efforts and responsibilities of these leaders.

Board Elections and Appointments

In terms of governance, the AGM saw the re-election of board members including Maria Carell, Annemarie Gardshol, Jan Gurander, Alexander Lacik, Torbjörn Lööf, Katarina Martinson, Bert Nordberg, Barbara M. Thoralfsson, and Karl Åberg. Jan Gurander was reaffirmed as the Chairman of the Board, ensuring continuity in leadership as the company navigates the upcoming fiscal challenges and opportunities.

Moreover, Ernst Young AB has been appointed as the company auditor for a term extended until the conclusion of the 2027 AGM, ensuring reliable external oversight of the company's financial practices.

Share Capital Management

In a strategic move, the AGM resolved to decrease the share capital through the cancellation of 11,109,318 Class B shares, which represents about 1.6% of the total shares issued. This action is part of a broader bonus issue strategy designed to enhance shareholder value and manage capital more efficiently.

Buy-Back Authorization

The meeting authorized the Board of Directors to decide on share buy-backs of Essity B shares, facilitating a mechanism for managing shares in alignment with market conditions. This decision represents an agile approach toward capital management, allowing the company to respond to market dynamics proactively.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The minutes of the AGM will be accessible on Essity's official website, www.essity.com, within two weeks, ensuring transparency and continued stakeholder engagement.

In conclusion, Essity’s AGM was a pivotal event that laid the foundation for its operational and financial roadmap in the forthcoming years. Investors and stakeholders left the meeting encouraged by the company’s strategic direction, confident in its ability to execute plans that will benefit both the company and its shareholders in the long run.